Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TAPE DISPENSER HAVING A TAPE RETAINING AND APPLICATION AREA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention generally relates to tape dispensers. More particularly, the
invention relates to hand-held tape dispensers adapted to dispense adhesive
tape. Specifically, the invention relates to a hand-held tape dispenser that
includes a tape retainer and a pressure pad for aiding in applying the
adhesive
tape to a surface and preventing the free end of the tape from curling back
onto
the roll held in the dispenser.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There are numerous types of adhesive tapes that have a wide variety of
uses. A frequently used type of adhesive tape is packaging tape that is used
to
secure the flaps of boxes and packages for shipping. This type of tape is
typically 2 inches wide and is fairly difficult to pull off a roll by hand and
manoeuver into position around a package. Large industrial hand-held tape
dispensers have been proposed in the prior art for applying such wide adhesive
tape. Many of these devices, however, experience a number of problems in their
usage. Most adhesive tapes tend to be flimsy and easily statically charged so
that when the tape is cut, the free end tends to curl back onto the roll of
tape.
One dispenser provided in the art is an industrial-use tape gun that includes
a
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handle with a pivotable flap for keeping the free end of the tape biased onto
a
rotating roller to prevent the free end of the tape from curling back onto the
roll.
The flap keeps the free end of the tape locked against the roller when the
dispenser is not in use. When the user wishes to apply tape to a second
package, the roller is rotated across the second package's surface and the
adhesive tape is thereby brought into contact with the second package's
surface. While this device functions well, it is cumbersome to use and has a
number of moving parts that make it expensive to manufacture and prone to
breakage.
A second type of prior art device that clamps the free end of the tape is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,630,765, issued to Samuelson et al. This device
relies on the cutting action of the dispenser to stick the free end of the
tape to
the "land area" 66 of the dispenser. The free end of the tape is then held in
position by the top wal l 80 of the dispenser. When the user next wishes to
apply
adhesive tape to a surface, the user pivots the top wall out of contact with
the
free end and then grasps the free end of the tape with their fingers and
applies
it to the surface to be taped.
Another type of dispenser, such as the disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,672,238, issued to Samuelson, provides small tabs mounted on the frame of
the dispenser to hold the free end of the tape off the roll. These dispensers
require that the user position the free end of the tape onto the next package
to
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the taped by way of their fingers. A common problem with these tabs is that
they
are fragile and tend to break off the frame relatively easily. They are
therefore
rendered useless fairly frequently.
A second problem experienced in the usage of previously known tape
dispensers is that because adhesive tapes tend to be flimsy, if they are not
immediately stuck down onto the surface they are being applied to, they tend
to partially fold back on themselves. When pressure is applied to smooth out
and stick the tape into contact with the surface, they tend to form small
pockets
of tape stuck to itself instead of to the surface to which the tape is being
applied.
This results in the surface having a messy appearance and in that less tape is
in contact with the surface than may be desirable. This may result in a less
secured package.
There therefore still exists the need in the artfora simple, effective
adhesive tape dispenser that is adapted to be easily gripped in one hand, that
allows the adhesive tape to be easily dispensed therefrom, that keeps the tape
in a position where it is ready to be dispensed immediately and that allows
the
tape to be applied to a surface in a manner that results in the tape having a
smooth and neat appearance.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device of the present invention is a tape dispenser that has a
frame, a cutter blade and a non-rotatable pressure pad. The dispenser holds
a roll of adhesive tape therein. The cutter blade and pressure pad are
secured together and are snap-fitted into the frame so that the blade extends
a short distance beyond the front edge of the frame. The pressure pad
applies pressure to the adhesive tape as it is being dispensed from the tape
dispenser. The frame has side walls that each have a tab formed on their
interior surface. The tabs are positioned a short distance to the rear of the
pressure pad and they do not extend beyond the lower edge of the side walls
of the dispenser. The tabs are positioned and shaped in such a manner that
tape from the roll is supported on the top surface of the tabs. The tape is
biased into contact with the pressure pad by the tabs so that the tape is
ready to be dispensed from the roll and is prevented from curling back onto
the roll when cut.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape
dispenser comprising: a frame having an upper surface and opposed side
walls; each of the side walls having a lower edge; a tape mount disposed on
an interior surface of each of the side walls and being adapted to secure a
roll of tape therebetween; a cutter blade disposed on the frame and adapted
to cut tape from the roll; a tab disposed on the interior surface of each of
the
side walls substantially inwardly above of the lower edge thereof; and
wherein the tab has a top surface, a bottom surface, a back and a front, and
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the top surface of the tab is inclined downwardly from the back of the tab
toward the front of the tab; a non-rotatable pressure pad mounted on the
frame adjacent the cutter blade; the pressure pad having a bottom surface;
and wherein the tabs lay adjacent the pressure pad; and the top surface of
the tab is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface of the pressure pad
so that tape from the roll is biased into contact with the pressure pad; and
wherein the bottom surface of the pressure pad is adapted to push tape
from the roll into contact with a surface to which the tape is being applied
as
the tape is dispensed.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tape
dispenser comprising: a frame having an upper surface and opposed side
walls with a lower edge; a tape mount disposed on said frame and adapted
to secure a roll of tape therein; a cutter blade disposed on said frame and
adapted to cut tape from the roll; a tab disposed on the interior of each of
the side walls, each tab having a top surface that is inclined from proximate
a back of the tab to proximate a front of the tab; a projection is disposed on
the interior of each side wall, said projection extending upwardly from the
top surface of the tab toward the upper surface of the dispenser; and a non-
rotatable pressure pad mounted on the frame between the cutter blade and
the tab, and wherein the pressure pad lies inwardly of the lower edge of the
frame and the projection biases tape from the roll of tape into contact with a
bottom surface of the pressure pad; and wherein the bottom surface of the
pressure pad is adapted to push tape from the roll into contact with a
surface to which the tape is being applied as the tape is dispensed.
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In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
tape dispenser comprising: a frame; a tape mount disposed on said frame,
the tape mount being adapted to secure a roll of tape therein; a cutter blade
disposed on said frame and adapted to cut tape from the roll; a non-
rotatable pressure pad mounted on the frame, the pressure pad being
adapted to push tape from the roll into contact with a surface to which the
tape is being applied as the tape is dispensed; and wherein the pressure
pad includes a rear wall; a front wall adapted to contact tape from the roll;
and side walls connecting said front wall and rear wall; at least one cross-
rib
connecting the rear wall to the front wall; and a transverse rib connecting
the side walls together, said transverse rib intersecting said cross-rib; and
wherein the rear wall of the pressure pad has two outermost sections and
an intermediate section disposed between the outermost sections, the
intermediate section being of reduced height relative to the outermost
sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best
mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set
forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are
particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser in accordance with the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a left side view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a right side view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a rear view of the tape dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the tape dispenser
showing the relationship between the cutting blade and the pressure "foot";
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the tape dispenser illustrating
the relationship between tape guides, the projections upon which the tape
guides are mounted, the pressure foot and the cutting blade;
Fig. 10 is an enlargement of the highlighted area 11 from Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section front view of the tape dispenser;
Fig. 12 is an enlargement of the highlighted area from Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the tape dispenser through 13-13
of Fig. 9;
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the tape dispenser illustrating
the path tape takes through the dispenser;
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Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional front view of the tape dispenser through
15-15 of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional side view showing the initial position of a
tape dispenser prior to the tape being dispensed therefrom;
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the tape dispenser dispensing
tape onto a surface;
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the tape dispenser prior to
cutting of the tape;
Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the tape dispenser
immediately after the tape has been cut and the free end of the tape is being
held ready in a position for dispensing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1-7, there is shown a tape dispenser in accordance
with the present invention, the dispenser being referred to generally by the
number 10. Dispenser 10 comprises a frame 12 having an upper surface 14
and opposed side walls 16, 18. A roll 20 of adhesive tape 22 is held in
position in dispenser 10 by way of hubs 24 (Fig. 9) extending from the
opposed interior surfaces 16a, 18a of side walls 16, 18. A pressure pad,
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generally referred to by the number 28 (Fig. 6), and a cutter blade 26 with
teeth 27 are provided proximate the front portion 14a of upper surface 14.
Dispenser 10 is molded from a suitable polymeric material that allows
it to be manufactured reasonably cheaply but also be relatively strong and
sturdy. Preferably, dispenser 10 is molded as an integral unit and side walls
16, 18 are preferably able to flex somewhat relative to each other so as to
allow a roll 20 of tape to be inserted into dispenser 10. Upper surface 14
may either be molded as one solid piece (not shown) or be shaped in any
desirable manner such as that shown in the attached figures. Additionally, a
series of raised corrugations 19 may be molded in sides 16, 18 to allow the
user to grip dispenser 10 more easily. Furthermore, upper surface 14 may be
provided with a generally triangularly shaped recessed area 21 that is
adapted to receive a fingertip (not shown) therein. Recessed area 21 is
preferably provided with corrugations 23 that resist the sliding of any
fingertip that may be placed therein.
Referring to Fig. 8, pressure pad 28 is preferably snap fitted into the
interior of front portion 14a. Pressure pad 28 may, of course, be secured to
front portion 14a of dispenser 10 in any other suitable manner, such as
riveting, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The width
of pressure pad 28 is configured to be received between side walls 16, 18 of
dispenser 10. Pressure pad 28 has a rear wall 38 integrally formed with an
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arcuate front wall 40 and has two side walls 42a, 42b that are disposed
substantially at right angles to rear wall 38. Side walls 42a, 42b may
alternatively be disposed at either a greater or lesser angle relative to rear
wall 38. In this instance, pressure pad 28 would either widen or narrow from
the rear wall 38 toward the front wall 40. An angled pressure pad would be
utilized in a tape dispenser that has either a wider or narrower front portion
14a relative to the area where the roll 20 of tape is secured. Side walls 42a,
42b each include a notched area 43. Rear wall 38 includes two upwardly
extending outer sections 38a, 38b that are disposed on either side of a
shorter intermediate section 38c. Outer sections 38a and 38b each include a
projection 52 that slightly reduces the distance between transverse rib 36
and rear wall 38. The presence of the projection urges the cutter blade 26
into engagement with the pins 30. Intermediate section 38c further includes a
hooked latch 44. Front wall 40 is preferably arcuate so as to allow it to
glide
easily over the surface to which adhesive tape 22 is to be applied. Front wall
40 may, however, be shaped in any other manner that will allow it to apply
pressure to the tape 22 as it is being dispensed. For example, front wall 40
may be an open V-shape (not shown). In this configuration, one leg of the "V"
could contact the tape as it is being applied to a surface and the apex of the
"V" would be positioned so that it would not prevent the tape 22 from being
cut by cutting blade 26. Pressure pad 28 further includes a transverse rib 36
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and plurality of cross-ribs 34 for additional strength and rigidity. A
plurality of
pins 30 adapted to engage cutter blade 26 extend upwardly from cross-ribs
34. Pins 30 may however extend upwardly from transverse rib 36 or from the
interior floor of the arcuate front wall 40.
Pressure pad 28 and cutter blade 26 are separate components,
pressure pad 28 being manufactured from a polymeric material and cutter
blade 26 being manufactured from metal. It will be understood by those
skilled in the art, however, that pressure pad 28 and cutter blade 26 may be
integrally molded from a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment,
pressure pad 28 and cutter blade 26 are connected together by a plurality of
pins 30 that extend upwardly from pressure pad 28 through apertures 32 in
cutter blade 26. As may be seen from Fig. 10, the diameter of upper ends
30a of pins 30 may be somewhat larger than the shafts 30b and of slightly
greater diameter than the apertures 32. This allows the upper ends 30a of
pins 30 to be received through apertures 32 to securely hold cutter blade 26
to pressure pad 28, but at the same time substantially prevents withdrawal of
the pins 30 from apertures 32 without the application of some force.
Additionally, the rear edge 54 of cutter blade 26 is shaped so that a small
flange 56 (Fig. 8) extends therefrom. Flange 56 is configured to fit into
intermediate section 38c of pressure pad 28. When cutter blade 26 is
positioned so that pins 30 extend through. apertures 32, flange 56 is clamped
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by latch 44 thereby preventing cutter blade 26 from being easily withdrawn
from pressure pad 28.
As may be seen from Figs. 3, and 9-12, the inner surface 15 of front
portion 14a of dispenser 10 includes a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing
ridges 46 and a transverse ridge 48. These ridges 46, 48 provide rigidity and
strength to front portion 14a, but are also adapted to engage and support
pressure pad 28. Ridges 46a that lie proximate side walls 16, 18 each
include a small slot (not shown) for receiving one of the outer sections 38a,
38b of the rear wall 38 of pressure pad. The slots aid in preventing pressure
pad 28 from sliding parallel to the longitudinal axis of dispenser 10 when it
is
in use. A boss 50 is disposed on each of the interior surfaces 16a, 18a of
side walls 16, 18. As may be seen in Fig. 12, boss 50 is wider at one end so
that it is able to engage notch 43 and prevent pressure pad 28 from being
easily withdrawn. The combination of inner surface 15 of front portion 14a,
the side walls 16, 18, ridges 46 and transverse ridge 48 form a pocket for
receiving pressure pad 28. Side walls 16, 18 must be slightly flexed apart in
order for the unit of the pressure pad 28 and cutter blade 26 to be received
in this pocket. Pressure pad 28 is snap fitted into the pocket so that rear
wall
38 of pressure pad abuts transverse ridge 48 and the side walls 42 of
pressure pad abut side walls 16, 18 of dispenser 10. When pressure pad 28
is secured into place, the teeth 27 and a small section of cutter blade 26
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extend beyond the front edge 58 of front portion 14a. As may be seen from
Fig. 10, cutter blade 26 has a first section 26a that rests on and is secured
to
pressure pad 28. Cutter blade 26 further has a second section 26b that is
angled with respect to the first section 26a. The angle of second section 26b
is configured to be such that when pressure pad 28 and cutter blade 26 are
connected to dispenser 10, second section 26b abuts the inner surface 15 of
front portion 14a. Small extensions 60 project from front portion 14a on,
either side of cutter blade 26 so as to reduce the possibility of the user
cutting themselves on cutter blade 26.
Disposed a short distance (in the order of 0.5 inches or less) rearward
of transverse ridge 48, there are two tabs 62, each tab being integrally
formed with the interior surface 16a, 18a of one of the side walls 16, 18.
Tabs
62 extend a short distance into the gap between side walls 16 and 18. They
are adapted to support the tape 22 as it is being dispensed and they support
the free end 22a of the tape 22 when the dispenser 10 is not in use.
The following describes the tab disposed on the interior surface 18a of
side wall 18, but it will be understood that the tab on interior surface 16a
of
side wall 16 is similarly shaped and functions in the same manner. Referring
to Fig. 9, tab 62 has a top surface 64, a bottom surface 66, a back 65 and a
front 67. Top surface 64 is inclined from the back 65 to the front 67 of tab
62
and angles downwardly toward the lowermost point 70 of pressure pad 28.
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Bottom surface 66 of tab 62 is preferably flush with the lower edge 68 of side
walls 16, 18. Tab 62 may alternatively be spaced a small distance inwardly
from lower edge 68 so that a gap exists between bottom surface 66 and
lower edge 68. Alternatively, tab 62 may be positioned so that bottom surface
66 extends a very small distance below lower edge 68. It will, however, be
understood by those skilled in the art that substantially all of tab 62 lies
inwardly of lower edge 68 of side walls 16, 18. This protects tab 62 from
being easily broken off dispenser 10 during normal operation because the
side wall 18 shield the tab 62 from impact. As may be seen from Fig. 13, top
surface 64 may include a lip 70. Furthermore, top surface 64 is inclined at an
acute angle to the interior surface 18a of side wall 18 so that surface 64
slopes generally downwardly toward lower edge 68 from lip 70.
A projection 72, disposed on interior surface 18a, extends from top
surface 64 toward the interior of upper surface 14 of dispenser. The distance
between side.walls 16 and 18 may be represented by the letter A. The
distance between the projection 72 on side wall 18 and projection 74, may be
represented by the letter B. Distance B is shorter than distance A.
Additionally, distance B is slightly less than the width C of the tape 22 on
roll
20. Dispenser 10 is adapted to hold tape 22 from the roll 20 so that the tape
22 is supported by tabs 62 in such a manner that the side edges 80 of the
tape 22 extend over the top surface 64 of the tabs 62 and contact the
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projections 72, 74. This causes the tape 22 to assume a convexly-arched
shape as may be seen in Fig. 15. The shape of tape 22 is produced by the
combination of the angle of the top surface 64 of tabs 62 being downwardly
sloped toward the interior surface 18a of side wall 18, the top surface 64
being sloped downwardly from back 65 to front 67 and toward pressure pad
28 as well as the reduced distance B between interior surfaces 16a and 18a.
The shape of the tape 22 assists in preventing the free end 22a of tape 22
from curling back onto roll 20. The slight convex arch in the tape 22 also
biases the tape 22 into contact with pressure pad 28, thereby holding free
end 22a ready for application to a new surface.
A plurality of ridges 84a,.84b are disposed on the interior surfaces
16a, 18a of side walls 16, 18. Ridges 84 project inwardly and the distance
between ridges 84a, 84b is approximately the same as the distance between
projections 72. Ridges 84a, 84b aid in maintaining the convex profile of tape
22 so that tape 22 is urged into contact with pressure pad 28.
Referring to Figs. 14 through 19, in operation, the free end 22a of the
tape 22 is threaded over tabs 62 and under pressure pad 28. Free end 22a is
brought into contact with a surface 76 (Fig. 16) of a package 78 to be taped.
Front portion 14a of dispenser 10 is pushed downwardly in the direction of
arrow D so that pressure pad 28 urges free end 22a into contact with surface
76. The adhesive on tape 22 secures free end 22a to surface 76 as pressure
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is continued to be applied in the direction of arrow D. Dispenser 10 is then
moved in the direction of arrow E while pressure continues to be applied in
the direction of arrow F. This maintains the contact between pressure pad 28
and tape 22 while allowing tape to be dispensed from roll 20. The continuous
pressure from pressure pad 28 smooths the tape 22 out as it is dispensed,
thereby substantially preventing the tape 22 from sticking to itself and
forming pockets that cannot be secured to surface 76. When it is desired to
cut the tape 22, pressure in the direction of arrow F is maintained on the
dispenser 10 so that tape 22 is held taut. Dispenser 10 is rotated upwardly in
the direction of arrow G so that teeth 27 of cutter blade 26 contact and cut
tape 22. The severed tape 22b remains stuck to package 78 and tape 22
drops back into engagement with tabs 62. Free end 22a remains biased to
pressure pad 28 and is in position for immediate application to a second
package (not shown).
26 and pressure pad 28 form a unit that is snap-fitted into frame 12.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,
clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied
therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are
used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
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Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an
example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or
described.
